U.S. patent application number 11/547132 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for electrostatically atomizing device.
Invention is credited to Shousuke Akisada, Kishiko Hirai, Kouichi Hirai, Toshihisa Hirai, Osamu Imahori, Junji Imai, Kentaro Kobayashi, Fumio Mihara, Shinya Murase, Akihide Sugawa, Tomoharu Watanabe, Hirokazu Yoshioka.
Application Number | 20090001200 11/547132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35124888 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090001200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Imahori; Osamu ; et
al. |
January 1, 2009 |
Electrostatically Atomizing Device
Abstract
The present invention provides an electrostatically atomizing
device capable of instantly giving an electrostatically atomizing
effect without requiring a water tank. The electrostatically
atomizing device includes an emitter electrode, an opposed
electrode opposed to the emitter electrode, a water feeder
configured to give water on the emitter electrode, and a high
voltage source configured to apply a high voltage across said
emitter electrode and said opposed electrode to electrostatically
charge the water on the emitter electrode for spraying charged
minute water particles from a discharge end of the emitter
electrode. The water feeder is configured to condense the water on
the emitter electrode from within the surrounding air, enabling to
supply the water on the emitter electrode in a short time without
relying upon an additional water tank. Thus, an atomization of the
charged minute water particles can be obtained immediately upon use
of the device.
Inventors: |
Imahori; Osamu; (Hikone-shi,
JP) ; Hirai; Toshihisa; (Hikone-shi, JP) ;
Hirai; Kishiko; (Hikone-shi, JP) ; Sugawa;
Akihide; (Hikone-shi, JP) ; Mihara; Fumio;
(Hikone-shi, JP) ; Akisada; Shousuke; (Hikone-shi,
JP) ; Watanabe; Tomoharu; (Osaka-shi, JP) ;
Yoshioka; Hirokazu; (Osaka-shi, JP) ; Kobayashi;
Kentaro; (Nishinomiya-shi, JP) ; Murase; Shinya;
(Hikone-shi, JP) ; Hirai; Kouichi; (Hikone-shi,
JP) ; Imai; Junji; (Amagasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Family ID: |
35124888 |
Appl. No.: |
11/547132 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 1, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2005/006496 |
371 Date: |
October 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/700 ;
239/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 5/0255 20130101;
B05B 5/0533 20130101; B05B 5/057 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/700 ;
239/690 |
International
Class: |
B05B 5/057 20060101
B05B005/057; B05B 5/08 20060101 B05B005/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2004 |
JP |
2004-114364 |
Jun 21, 2004 |
JP |
2004-182920 |
Jan 26, 2005 |
JP |
2005-018682 |
Claims
1. An electrostatically atomizing device comprising: an emitter
electrode; an opposed electrode opposed to said emitter electrode;
a water feeder configured to give water on said emitter electrode,
a high voltage source configured to apply a high voltage across
said emitter electrode and said opposed electrode to
electrostatically charge the water on said emitter electrode for
spraying charged minute water particles from a discharge end of
said emitter electrode, wherein said water feeder is configured to
condense the water on said emitter electrode from within the
surrounding air.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said water feeder
comprises a refrigerator which cools said emitter electrode for
condensation of the water on said emitter electrode from within the
surrounding air.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said water feeder
has a freezing function of freezing water content of the
surrounding air on said emitter electrode, and a melting function
of melting the frozen water on said emitter electrode.
4. The device as set forth in claim 2, further including a fan
which is configured to introduce the surrounding air around said
emitter electrode through an air intake path.
5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said refrigerator is
combined with a heat radiator to define a heat exchanger, said heat
exchanger being accommodated within a housing together with said
emitter electrode, said housing being formed with a heat exchange
path which is separated from said air intake path to introduce the
surrounding air to said heat radiator and drive it out of said
housing.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said emitter
electrode is formed with a water container which holds a volume of
the water.
7. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said refrigerator is
realized by a Peltier-effect thermoelectric module having a cooling
side and a heater side, said cooling side being coupled to said
emitter electrode for cooling the same.
8. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of said
emitter electrodes are disposed, said emitter electrodes being
thermally coupled to said refrigerator to have the respective
discharge ends cooled to the same temperature, said emitter
electrodes being electrically coupled to said high voltage source
to have the respective discharge ends receiving the same electric
field strength.
9. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the plurality of
said emitter electrodes are integrated into an electrode assembly
having a single stem coupled to said refrigerator, said emitter
electrodes extending from said single stem respectively by way of
branches.
10. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein all of said emitter
electrodes have their respective discharge ends spaced by an equal
distance from said opposed electrode.
11. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said electrode
assembly is made from the same material into a unitary structure,
said emitter electrodes being symmetrically disposed around said
stem.
12. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said electrode
assembly is connected to receive the high voltage from said high
voltage source at a point of connection offset from said branches
towards said refrigerator.
13. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said electrode
assembly is fitted with a heat insulation sheath covering a portion
extending from said branches to said refrigerator.
14. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein a plurality of said
opposed electrodes disposed respectively in relation to said
emitter electrodes, each of said opposed electrodes being spaced by
the same distance to each associated one of said emitter
electrodes.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an electrostatically
atomizing device, and more particularly to the electrostatically
atomizing device which condenses water contained in the air and
electrostatically charge the condensed water so as to spray the
minute water particles of a nanometer order.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Japanese patent publication No. 5-345156 A discloses a prior
art electrostatically atomizing device generating charged minute
water particles of a nanometer order (nanometer sized mist). The
device is configured to apply a high voltage across an emitter
electrode supplied with the water and an opposed electrode to
induce Rayleigh disintegration of the water carried on the emitter
electrode, thereby atomizing the water. The charged minute water
particles thus obtained contain radicals and remain over a long
period of time to be diffused into a space in a large amount,
thereby being allowed to react effectively with offensive odors
adhered to a room wall, clothing, or curtains to deodorize the
same.
[0003] However, since the above device relies upon a water tank
containing the water which is supplied through a capillary effect
to the emitter electrode, it enforces the user to replenish the
tank. In order to eliminate the inconvenience, it may be possible
to use a heat exchanger which condense the water by cooling the
surrounding and supply the water condensed at the heat exchanger to
the emitter electrode. However, this scheme will take at least
several minutes to obtain the water (condensed water) generated at
the heat exchanger and supply the condensed water to the emitter
electrode, and therefore poses a problem of being not applicable to
an appliance such as a hair dryer which is operated only for a
short time.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the above problem, the present invention has been
accomplished to give a solution of providing an electrostatically
atomizing device which is capable of eliminating the water tank and
instantly giving an electrostatically atomizing effect.
[0005] The electrostatically atomizing device in accordance with
the present invention includes an emitter electrode, an opposed
electrode opposed to the emitter electrode, a water feeder
configured to give water on the emitter electrode, and a high
voltage source configured to apply a high voltage across said
emitter electrode and said opposed electrode to electrostatically
charge the water on the emitter electrode for spraying charged
minute water particles from a discharge end of the emitter
electrode. The water feeder is configured to condense the water on
the emitter electrode from within the surrounding air. Thus, the
water contained in the air can be condensed on the emitter
electrode, which enables to supply the water to the emitter
electrode within a short time period yet without the use of an
additional water tank. Accordingly, the atomization of the charged
minute water particles can be obtained instantly upon use of the
device.
[0006] Preferably, the water feeder comprises a refrigerator which
cools the emitter electrode to allow the water to condense on the
emitter electrode from within the surrounding air.
[0007] The water feeder may be configured to have a freezing
function of freezing water content of the surrounding air on the
emitter electrode, and also have a melting function of melting the
frozen water on the emitter electrode.
[0008] Further, the device of the present invention preferably
includes a fan which is configured to introduce the surrounding air
around the emitter electrode through an air intake path. With this
arrangement, it is possible to supply the humid air constantly
around the emitter electrode to keep a predetermined amount of the
condensed water. Also, the resulting air flow is utilized to carry
the mist of the charged minute water particles emitted from the
emitter electrode and discharge the particles outwardly.
[0009] The refrigerator is combined with a heat radiator to define
a heat exchanger which is accommodated within a housing together
with the emitter electrode. In this instance, the housing may be
formed with a heat exchange path which is separated from the air
intake path to introduce the surrounding air to the heat radiator
and drives it out of the housing. Thus, the air introduced from the
outside and heated the heat radiator is kept free from leaking to
the side of the emitter electrode and therefore from raising the
temperature around the emitter electrode, avoiding the lowering of
the water condensation efficiency at the emitter electrode.
[0010] Further, the emitter electrode is preferably formed with a
water container which holds a volume of water so that it can store
the water upon seeing an excessive condensation and to secure an
atomizing amount of the water by use of the water in the container
in a condition where the water is difficult to be generated. Also,
it is possible to reduce a hazard that the excessive water invades
into other portions to cause a short-circuit.
[0011] The refrigerator may be realized by a Peltier-effect
thermoelectric module which is compact yet has high cooling
efficiency.
[0012] Further, the present invention discloses the device provided
with a plurality of the emitter electrodes. In this instance, the
plural emitter electrodes are thermally coupled to the refrigerator
to have the respective discharge ends cooled to the same
temperature, and at the same time electrically coupled to the high
voltage source to have the respective discharge ends receiving the
same electric field strength. Thus, it is possible to give a large
amount of the mist of the charged minute water particles with the
use of a single refrigerator.
[0013] The plural emitter electrodes are preferred to be integrated
into a single electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has a
single stem coupled to the refrigerator, and the emitter electrodes
extend from the single stem respectively by way of branches. The
use of the electrode assembly integrating the plural emitter
electrodes leads to an easy fabrication. Also, it is possible to
give the same cooling temperature to the discharge ends of the
individual emitter electrodes by use of the emitter electrodes of
the same length and the branches of the same length. In this
instance, all of the emitter electrodes have their respective
discharge ends spaced by an equal distance from the opposed
electrode to generate a uniform amount of the mist from the plural
emitter electrodes in a stable manner.
[0014] Also, the electrode assembly is preferably made from the
same material into a unitary structure in which the emitter
electrodes are symmetrically disposed around the stem.
[0015] Further, the electrode assembly is preferably connected to
receive the high voltage from the high voltage source at a point of
connection offset from the branches towards the refrigerator. Thus,
it is made possible to apply the high voltage to each of the
emitter electrode while keeping the cooling temperature constant at
the discharge end of each emitter electrode, assuring to generate
the mist in a stable manner.
[0016] In order to effectively cool the discharge end of the
emitter electrode, the electrode assembly is preferably flitted
with a heat insulation sheath which covers a portion extending from
the branches to the refrigerator.
[0017] Further, it is equally possible to provide a plurality of
the opposed electrodes in correspondence to the emitter electrode.
In this instance, each of the opposed electrodes is spaced by the
same distance to each associated one of the emitter electrodes so
as to give the same electric field strength to the discharge end of
each emitter electrode, assuring to generate a large amount of the
mist in a stable manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrostatically
atomizing device in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view of the above device;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the above
device;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of another modification of the above
device;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a further modification of
the above device;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electrostatically
atomizing device in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention with a portion being removed;
[0026] FIGS. 9(A), 9(B), and 9(C) are explanatory views
respectively illustrate the emitter electrodes of various shapes
available in the present invention; and
[0027] FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C) and 10(D) are explanatory views
respectively illustrate the emitter electrodes of various shapes
available in the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1st Embodiment
[0028] An electrostatically atomizing device in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention is explained with
reference to the attached drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the
electrostatically atomizing device includes a casing 10 in which a
plurality of emitter electrodes 21 are disposed. Attached to the
top opening of the casing 10 is an electrode plate integrating a
plurality of opposed electrodes 30 which are opposed respectively
to the ends of the emitter electrodes 21 by a predetermined
distance. The electrode plate is formed with a plurality of
circular openings 32 each having a center axis on which the tip of
each corresponding emitter electrode 21 is disposed.
[0029] The emitter electrode 21 is coupled to a refrigerator 40
which cools and condenses the water contained in the ambient air on
the emitter electrode 21. The emitter electrode 21 and the opposed
electrode are connected to a high voltage source 60. The high
voltage source is provided to apply a predetermined high voltage
across the emitter electrodes 21 and the opposed electrodes 30 to
give a negative voltage (for example -4.6 kV) to the emitter
electrodes 21, so as to develop a high voltage electric field
between a discharge end 22 at the end of each emitter electrode 21
and the inner periphery of the circular window 32 of each opposed
electrode 30, thereby electrostatically charging the water on each
emitter electrode 21 for discharging the charged minute water
particles in the form of a mist from the discharge end 22. In this
connection, the Rayleigh disintegration of the water is induced at
the discharge end 22 to generate the mist of charged minute water
particles of a size in the order of nanometers, which is discharged
outwardly through the circular windows 32 of the opposed electrodes
30.
[0030] The refrigerator 40 is realized by a Peltier-effect
thermoelectric module (hereinafter referred to as Peltier module)
which has a cooling side coupled to the ends of the emitter
electrodes 21 opposite to the discharge ends 22 so as to cool the
emitter electrodes 21 to a temperature below a dew point of the
water by applying a constant voltage to a thermoelectric element
composing the Peltier module. The Peltier module is configured to
have a plurality of thermoelectric elements connected in parallel
between conductive circuit plates to cool the emitter electrodes 21
at a rate determined by a variable voltage given from a cooling
controller 50. One of the conductive circuit plates on the cooling
side is coupled to the emitter electrodes 21, while the other
circuit plate on the heating side is coupled to a heat radiator 45
with heat radiating fins 46. The Peltier module is provided with a
thermister for detection of the cooling temperature of the emitter
electrodes 21, and the cooling controller 50 is configured to
control the temperature of the Peltier module 40 in order to keep
an electrode temperature in correspondence with the environmental
temperature and humidity, i.e., the temperature such that a
sufficient amount of water can be condensed on the emitter
electrodes.
[0031] The Peltier module 40 is accommodated within the casing 10
together with the emitter electrodes 21. The casing 10 is composed
of an upper casing 11 and a lower casing 15 both made of dielectric
material. The upper casing 11 surrounds the upper ends of the
emitter electrodes 21, while the lower casing 15 accommodates the
Peltier module 40. Disposed between the cooling side and the
emitter electrodes 21 is a dielectric plate 44 of high thermal
conductivity. The upper casing 15 has its bottom closed by the heat
radiator 45.
[0032] A plurality of the emitter electrodes 21 are integrated into
an electrode component 20 of a unitary structure. The electrode
component 20 is made of a material of good electrical conductivity
and high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum, silver, or
an alloy thereof, to have a single stem 24, and a plurality of
braches 25 extending horizontally from the upper end of the stem 24
with each of the emitter electrodes 21 upstanding from the end of
each branch 25. The stem 24 has a flange 26 coupled to the cooling
side of the Peltier module 40. The stem 24 extends through an upper
wall 16 of the lower casing 15 and the bottom wall 12 of the upper
casing 11, while the branches 25 extend along the top surface of
the bottom wall 12. The bottom casing 15 and the upper casing 11
are both made of a dielectric material of good thermal insulation.
In this instance, a heat insulation sheath may be provided over the
stem 24 extending from the Peltier module 40 to the branches 25 in
order to enhance heat insulation between the electrode component 20
and the casing 10.
[0033] The lower casing 15 is provided with an electrode terminal
18 for connection of the electrode component 20 to the high voltage
side of the high voltage source 60. The electrode terminal 18 has
its one end connected to the flange 26 at the lower end of the stem
24 within the lower casing 15, and has its other end extending
outwardly of the lower casing 15. The grounded side of the high
voltage source 60 is connected to a grounding terminal 33 of the
opposed electrodes 30. The lower casing 15 is provided on its side
end opposite to the electrode terminal 18 with a connector 19 for
electrical connection with the cooling controller 50 controlling
the Peltier module.
[0034] The upper casing 11 is provide in the lower end of its
sidewall with an air inlet 14 which introduces the ambient air
around the emitter electrodes 21 so as to condensate the water
contained in the introduced air on the emitter electrodes 21,
allowing the condensed water to be discharged outwardly of the
casing from the ends of the emitter electrodes 21 in the form of a
mist of the charged minute water particles.
[0035] The emitter electrodes 21 are of identical shape, and are
spaced horizontally from the upper end of the stem 24 by the
branches 25 of the same length, as shown in FIG. 2, so as to be
cooled to the same temperature. The discharge end 22 of each
emitter electrode 21 is disposed on a center axis of the circular
window 32 of each corresponding opposed electrode 30 to have the
same electrical field intensity, enabling to discharge the mist of
the charged minute water particles in an equal amount from each of
the emitter electrodes 21.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the above embodiment in
which the opposed electrode 30 used in combination with the two
emitter electrodes 21 is formed with a single circular window 32,
and the discharge ends are disposed at the diametrically opposed
ends of the circular window 32. In this instance, the discharge
occurs between the inner periphery of the circular window 32 and
each of the discharge ends 22 to generate the mist of the charged
minute water particles.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates another modification in which three
emitter electrodes 21 are equiangularly spaced. Also in this
instance, the emitter electrodes 21 are integrated into an
electrode component of unitary structure, as in the above
embodiment, and are coupled to the upper end of the stem 24 by way
of the branches 25 of the same length so as to be cooled to the
same temperature. The opposed electrode 30 is shaped to have three
circular windows 32 each having a center axis on which each emitter
electrode is disposed.
[0038] Although the above embodiment and the modifications
discloses the device equipped with a plurality of the emitter
electrodes, the present invention should not be limited thereto,
and is configured to use only the single emitter electrode 21 as
shown in FIG. 7. In this modification, the tubular casing 10 is
vertically divided by a partition 13 through which the emitter
electrode 21 extends. The lower end of the casing 10 is coupled to
the heat radiating plate 45, while the Peltier module 40 is
accommodated between the partition 13 and the heat radiating plate
45. The Peltier module 40 is configured to have a plurality of
thermo-electric elements arranged between a pair of conductive
circuit plate 41 and 42, and to have the cooling side circuit plate
41 coupled to the flange 26 at the lower end of the emitter
electrode 21 through a dielectric plate of good thermal
conductivity. The flange 26 is surrounded by a heat insulation
sheath 7 to reduce the heat absorption to the casing. The emitter
electrode 21 is connected to the electrode terminal 18 on the lower
side of the partition 13, while the Peltier module is connected to
the connector 19 projecting outwardly from the lower end of the
casing 10. Provided on the upper side of the partition 13 is a
water container 28 which absorbs an excessive amount of the water
generated at the emitter electrode 21 to prevent the water from
leaking to the side of the electrode terminal 18 and the Peltier
module 40.
2nd Embodiment
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates an electrostatically atomizing device in
accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention
which is basically identical to the above embodiment except that a
fan 110 is accommodated within a single housing 100 together with
the casing 10. The casing 10, which carries the emitter electrode
21, the opposed electrode 30, the Peltier module 40, and the heat
radiating fins 46, is disposed in the upper end of the housing 100,
while the fan 110 is disposed in the lower end of the housing 100.
In the present embodiment, the Peltier module is utilized as a heat
exchanger defining a refrigerator at its one end, and a heat
radiator at the other end. The fan 110 is provided to take in the
ambient air through the air inlet 102 and discharge it outwardly
through an air intake path 104 and a heat exchange path 106 formed
in the housing 106. The air intake path 104 is formed downstream of
the fan 110 between the casing 10 and the housing 100 to guide the
forced air flow A generated by the fan from through the air inlet
14 into the casing 10, and discharge it outwardly through the
circular window 32 of the opposed electrode 30, during which the
water content of the air is condensed on the emitter electrode 21
and the mist of the charge minute particles discharged from the
emitter electrode 21 is carried on the forced air flow to be
expelled outwardly.
[0040] While, on the other hand, the heat exchange path 106 is
provided to guide a forced air flow B through passes around the
heat radiating fins 46 on the downstream side of the fan 110 and to
expel it outwardly through discharge port 108 in the wall of the
housing 100. Thus, the air flow contacts with the heat radiating
fins 46 to improve cooling effect at the Peltier module 40. The
heat exchange path 106 is separated from the air intake path 104 to
avoid the air heated by the heat radiating fins from leaking
towards the emitter electrode 21. With this result, the emitter
electrode 21 is supplied with the fresh air to effectively condense
the water therefrom.
[0041] A temperature-humidity sensor 80 is provided around the air
inlet 102 for detection of the environmental temperature and
humidity. The cooling controller 50 controls the voltage applied to
the Peltier module 40 to cool the emitter electrode 21 to a
temperature determined by the environmental temperature and
humidity, i.e., to the temperature at which a sufficient amount of
water is condensed on the emitter electrode 21. Also, the cooling
controller 50 is connected to a current meter 70 for monitoring a
discharge current flowing between the emitter electrode 21 and the
opposed electrode 30, in order to control the Peltier module for
keeping the discharge current constant. As the discharge current is
proportional to the amount of the charge minute water particles
discharged from the discharge end 22, or the amount of the water
condensed on the emitter electrode, it is possible to continuously
discharge the mist of the charged minute water particles in a
constant amount by controlling the Peltier module 40 to keep the
constant discharge current.
[0042] The fan 110 is connected to an air flow controller 120 for
regulating the amount of the air flow being supplied to the emitter
electrode 21 and the heat radiating fins 46. The air flow
controller 120 is connected to the current meter 70 and the
temperature-humidity sensor 80 to regulate the amount of the air
flow depending upon the discharge current and the environmental
temperature and humidity. For example, when there is a great
difference between the environmental temperature and the emitter
electrode, the amount of the air flow is increased in order to
enhance the cooling efficiency at the Peltier module. Also, when
there is a shortage of the condensed amount of the water on the
emitter electrode, the amount of air flow is increased to supply a
more amount of the ambient air to the emitter electrode. On the
other hand, when a sufficient amount of water is being condensed on
the emitter electrode, the fan is stopped or the amount of the air
flow is lowered to keep discharging the mist of the charged minute
water particles in a constant amount.
[0043] A freezing of the water condensed on the emitter electrode
21 may occur when the emitter electrode 21 is over-cooled in a
particular environment. Upon occurrence of the freezing, the
discharge current is reduced and this condition can be acknowledged
by the cooling controller 50. In such case, the cooling controller
50 controls the Peltier module 40 to raise the temperature of the
emitter electrode 21 to remove the freezing. For example, the
cooling by the Peltier module is lowered or stopped. Further, the
polarity of the voltage applied to the Peltier module may be
temporarily reversed to heat the emitter electrode 21. Under this
circumstance, the cooling controller 50 can be configured to switch
the functions of freezing the water content in the air and melding
the frozen water in order to supply a suitable amount of water to
the emitter electrode 21.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 9, the emitter electrode 21 may be formed
with a water container temporarily holding an excessive amount of
water. FIG. 9(A) illustrates an example in which the emitter
electrode 21 is formed in its center with the water container 90A
made of a porous ceramic to exhibit a capillary action. In FIG.
9(B), an example is illustrated in which the emitter electrode 21
is formed in its outer surface with capillary grooves extending in
the axial direction to define the water container 90B. In either
example, the water container is hydrophobically treated, while the
other portion is hydrophobically finished, for example, by coating
with a water-repellant layer. In FIG. 9(C), the emitter electrode
21 is formed internally with a capillary gap extending in the axial
direction to define the water container 90C. For example, the gap
man by formed in the interior of the emitter electrode by dividing
the emitter electrode into two-halves or three-pieces.
[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates various structures of giving increased
water holding capacity to the discharge end 22 of at the distal end
of the emitter electrode 21. FIG. 10(A) illustrates an example in
which the discharge end 22 is formed with a flat face to hold the
water thereon by the surface tension of the water. FIG. 10(B)
illustrates an example in which a sharp projection is formed
centrally on the flat face to concentrate the electric charge
thereto. In FIG. 10(C), an example is illustrated in which the
discharge end is formed with a concave to hold the water therein.
In FIG. 10(D), an example is illustrated in which a sharp
projection is formed centrally on the concave. In either example,
the water supplied to the discharge end can be suitable held
thereat, enabling the water to successfully induce the Rayleigh
disintegration of the water and therefore assuring to give the
electrostatic atomization in a stably matter. More than one
projection may be formed to increase the amount of the mist.
* * * * *